Since the start of the 2012 season, no player has been in the Crew starting lineup more often
than goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum and defender Josh Williams.

Gruenebaum leads all players in starts with 53, and Williams is only two behind him.

But neither is expected to start on Sunday at FC Dallas, although both have recovered from
injuries. With the Crew enjoying only its second two-game winning streak of the season, interim
coach Brian Bliss likely will stick to the same lineup for a third straight game.

Gruenebaum, available for the first time in eight weeks, and Williams, for the first time in
four games, said they will be fine with whatever their role is.

“Everybody wants to play, but at the same time, this is a very, very important stretch we’ve got
going on here,” Williams said. “We can’t lose, and we’re coming off a 3-0 win, so I didn’t expect
to come right in and push someone to the side.

“I’m a team guy, and if the team has good chemistry right now, I’ve got to wait. And just like
before, as soon as I get my opportunity, I have to make the most of it.”

This will be the first time a healthy Gruenebaum has been absent from the lineup since he became
the full-time starter at the beginning of the 2012 season. For Williams, it will be only the second
time in 59 games that he won’t be starting for reasons other than injury or suspension.

Williams returned to action this week after suffering a concussion on Sept. 3. Gruenebaum has
been out because of weakness in his left shoulder and has slowly eased his way back into practice
during the past few weeks. Last Sunday, he played the first 45 minutes of the Crew’s reserve league
game against Chicago.

In Gruenebaum’s place, Matt Lampson has gone 5-4 as the starter, with four shutouts and a .650
save percentage.

“The team is winning games,” Gruenebaum said. “That’s awesome. I’ve always said I want to see
this team make the playoffs.

“I’m happy to be playing again. That was my main thing, that I want to get back and I want to
contribute any way I can.”

Williams has played each of the back four defensive positions during the past two seasons, but
he most recently had played right back. He was struck on the head by a ball on the final day of
practice before Bliss’ first game as interim coach, on Sept. 4.

Other injuries have since forced some reshuffling along the line, but Bliss said he is less
likely to mess with the defense than other positions.

“That’s just the way the game is played,” Bliss said. “Josh and Andy are good pros and they know
how it works, and I’m sure they’re going to be mentally and physically ready to play if called
upon. But right now, with the run of form that we’ve had, it’s tough to make that change in the
back.”